What is a healthy relationship? When discussing
relationships we generally are thinking in terms of a sexual component
and/or romance between two individuals. However, we also form
relationships due to marriage (family) and close ties with childhood
and school friends, plus the many people we interact with in our
careers or social circles that are described as non physical "Platonic"
exchanges of the mind, soul, and spiritual things.

Some relationships are
temporarily separated by distance and some exist in the community where
we reside. Of course the degree of interaction varies greatly between
individuals. Family relationships involve birth and marriage so they
are more or less permanent, but others are transitory caused by
drifting apart as we age and our interests change.

Most people form
relationships, but they may not stand the test of time. Some
relationships involve practical matters that are not involved with love
and have a potential for a lifelong romance. Unhealthy relationships
usually quickly end. Some endings are disastrous.

A healthy relationship needs
to have both
partners bring positive attributes to complete and strengthen the
partnership. Some relationships are
formed based on dominate and subordinate traits of each partner that
completes and mutually satisfies the needs of
both individuals.

Everyday people attempt to start
new relationships because of
their intense desire to compensate
for their weaknesses, inability to deal with a past
unfinished problems of previous relationships, and the anticipation
that the grass is always greener in other pastures.

What makes a relationship
long lasting?
A relationship that is
based on tolerance tends to overlook the faults of others in return for
the
strengths they bring to the relationship. There can be serious
problems that surface as time passes. Initially these are not a deal
breaker at the start of the relationship,
but these conflicts can become unhealthy, even toxic after the
infatuation wears off.

Sometimes a partner becomes a
control freak who wants the other to be submissive to their every whim.
This behavior is usually accompanied by the fear of losing their
partners exclusive attention.

Sometimes a child is doomed to
repeat the pattern of interaction by and between their parents.
Physical and mental abuse may be associated with drug, alcohol, and
nicotine abuse by one or both parents.

Controlling behavior may take many
forms including temper tantrums with shouting, screaming, and throwing
or destroying items of value to the other partner, These are all
popular tools people use to maintain
control of others in their relationships. Dishonesty, untruthfulness,
and being unfaithful are forms of dysfunction
behavior that cause a relationship to dissolve.

Developing a healthy
relationship with a partner, associate, or friend
It is important to develop a solid
understanding of what really is required to achieve a long last
successful
relationship. Shared mutual goals and aspirations must form the basis
of understanding what motivates you and your
partner. This information will also enable both of you to get
rid of fears and other weaknesses that can make it difficult to have a
lasting and healthy relationship.

Honesty is the keystone of building a
long-lasting relationship.
Dishonesty
can ruin any relationship in a very short period of time. It is
better to reveal the truth sooner rather than later, The lack of trust
can cause an otherwise successful relationship to be
terminated.

Every potential partner should
educate them self of the essential qualities that will be needed to
achieve a
properly functioning relationship. There are many false ideas that are
promulgated by individuals within some sports that create stereotypical
expectations that
are responsible for dissatisfaction and unhealthy
relationships. Both partners must not bring unrealistic expectations to
a partnership as this guarantees dissatisfaction and eventually causing
the partnership to dissolve.

The same type of relationships
associated with a pair of skaters is multiplied many times for teams of
synchronized team ice skaters and swimmers, hockey players,
and relay events in swimming, endurance running, etc.

The following internet
links have been
gleaned from personal communications combined
with
information from
public institutions and athletic
organizations/associations
that
have a web presence with information concerning team
and individual
sports
programs: